Industrial truck



R. H. DAVIES ETAL May 4, 1954 INDUSTRIAL TRUCK 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. 2o, 1951 INVENTORS ROBERT H. DAV/ES a BY RUSSELL i PARGELL a.. @ma

A TTORNE Y May 4, 1954 R. H. DAvn-:s x-:T AL .2,677,475

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Spl'.. 20, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY May 4, 1954 R. H. DAvlEs ETAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2O 1951 1 IHM, I jnuum. IL WIu umg t s .v la

ya 42 /\l LYVENTORS ROBERT h'. DAV/ES 8 BY RUSSELL PAHGE'LL ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1954 INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Robert H. Davies, Shaker Heights, and Russell Ohio, assignors to The W. Parcell, Mantua, Baker-Baulang Comp corporation of Ohio any, Cleveland, Ohio, a

Application September 20, 1951, Serial No. 247,482

5 Claims. (Cl. 214-652) This invention relates to a truck having a support for an improved mechanism for engaging, supporting and handling a load, the support being movably mounted on the truck, whereby the load may be raised and lowered. The load engaging and supporting mechanism is, for purposes oi illustration, removably mounted on the support and the latter in turn may be bodily moved rectilineally and/or bodily swung inwardly and outwardly, either or both movements serving to raise the load, whereby it may be positioned for inspection, processing and discharge. Preferably the truck is provided with guides for the support and the guides are trunnioned on the truck frame, the support being operable endwise of the guides by a suitable power operated mechanism and the guides being swingable by a separate power operated mechanism. In removably mounting the load engaging and supporting mechanism on the support it may be replaced by a diferent type oi load engaging and supporting mechanism, whereby the truck may be employed to handle and transport diiierent types of loads; but such removability is not intended to limit applicants invention.

The invention disclosed herein includes power means for engaging and supporting a load or body, whereby it may be transported to a storage area or a station for inspection or processing, and separate power means for adjusting the load or body into a different position for various purm poses such as inspection, processing or discharge. rlhe processing may consist of machining or bumng the body, addition of iittings or other equipment thereto or (where the body is hollow) iilling the body with material and equipment dependent upon the use to which it is to be put.

The invention includes load engaging means capable of engaging and picking up loads, when a.. rest on the iioor or other surface, of various shapes in cross section, including cylinders, oval shaped bodies, of approximately cylindrical shape, and bodies of non-cylindrical shape but having a cross sectional shape which permits one of the load engaging members to engage the lower portion of each thereof within its outer contour.

One object of the invention is to provide, in a truck, an improved mechanism for engaging and handling a load, movable relative to the truck frame, whereby the latter may be positioned for inspection, processing and/or ready transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a truck having a raisable member, an improved mechanism for removably engaging a load and separate mechanism for bodily moving the load into a position for inspection and/or processing.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a truck having a raisable member, improved means for engaging and picking up loads of varying shapes in cross section when at rest on the floor or other surface or otherwise supported.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a truck having a movably supported member, an improved mechanism for engaging loads consisting of a cylinder mounted at its inner end on the movable member and a tubular member rotatably fitting the cylinder and having (a) at its outer end power operated devices for clamping the load and (b) at its inner end connections with a separate power operated means for rotating the tubular member a predetermined distance, whereby inspection and/or processing of the load is facilitated, the respective power means being controlled by the operative on the truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a truck, having a raisable member, an im proved mechanism on the latter for engaging bodies of different shapes in cross section and consisting of a iixed device and a power operated member provided with a trunnioned device adapted to engage bodies diiering in size diametrically.

A :further object of the invention is to provide, in a truck having a raisable member, a mechanism on the latter for engaging and lifting variously shaped bodies in cross section and consisting of a xed abutment and a movable, power operated clamping member disposed above and outwardly of the abutment and arranged, when engaged with the body, to secure it on the abutment, whereby minimum power is required to maintain the clamping member in position.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which our invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

o wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the front end portion of an industrial truck having mounted thereon a load engaging and supporting mechanism embodying our invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line Z2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing the load engaging and supporting mechanism in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 oi Fig. 3;

or" said pairs of wheels being driven and the otherY pair being steerably mounted. Theiront end of the frame la is provided with suitableA bearings im to support trunnions 2 fixedlto the outer sidesv of a pair or outer guides 2a, whereby, by operation of a suitable power means, indicated asan entirety at 3, the guides 2a and parts supported thereon may be tilted inwardly and outwardly, as shown in Fig. l. rlhe means guides 2c are preferably of the-fluid operated type and consist ofl a cylinder 3a having a=recip rocatable piston. The piston isf connected-to and operates a rod the outer end of which is pivotally connected to an` arm 3c fixedly secured t0 a crossplate 5d, the latter being suitablywelded to the lower ends of the guideszc. Fluid under pressure is supplied to either endofthe cylinder through conduits 3a: to operate the piston therein, whereby tilting of the guides inwardly and outwardly may be effected for purposes later set forth. The guides 2a sldably support a pair of inner guides il, relative to which a support, indicated at t is moved vertically by suitable mechanism Ei, preferably of the iiuid operated type. In this latter form of raising mechanism it may consist of a cylinder to, the lower end of which is mounted midway the guides 2a on a base to, having suitable connections at its opposite ends with the guides 20L, and a piston (not shown) in the cylinder connected to a rod 5c, the upper end of the latter. being connectedto a cross-head l. In this arrangement,v fluid under pressure (such as oil) supplied toA an inlet 6d for the cylinderv ila will operate the piston upwardly 5 and raise the cross-head l. The cross-headA 'I is provided diametricall'y with'. laterally extending shafts 'la on each of whichV are mounted a sprocket and a puiley; thepurpose of the pulley will later appear. The sprockets 8' are engagesby chains tilthe inner portions' of which extend downwardly and are suitably anchored, whereas their outer portions extend downwardly and are connected' to brackets lila on they rear side oi the support cross-head l is raised by supply of iiuicl to the cylinder ita, the support 5 moves upwardly relative to the guides 4 and carries with it a load engaging and supporting mechanism indicated as an entirety at il', to varying heights or levels.

The construction of the truck frame, mounting or the wheels therefor, wheel driving mechanism, tilting power means support 5 and raising mechanism 6 for the latter, are respectively well known in the art and therefore may be of any conventional or' preferred iorm of construction. However, since other mechanisms hereinafter referred tol are operated by uid supplied under pressure, we prefer to operate the power means 3 and raising mechanism 6 in the same manner. rEhe fluid supply under pressure for these mechanisms and other mechanisms later referred to is mounted on the frame la and includes a sump, a pump, a motor for driving the pump and one or more valve mechanisms operfor tilting the Accordingly, where the ment: withthe--sid'e walls of the guides 4 to ated by suitable levers to control the supply of iiuid to these mechanisms, respectively, these parts and mechanisms being of well known forms of construction, for which reason they are not shown.

The support 5 comprises a frame 5 disposed transversely of the guides 2a and 4 and having a top bar 5a, side bars 5b', connected by a bar 5c and cross plates 5c and a vertical rib 5d. these parts being rigidly connected together, as by, welds. The frame 5' is provided with rearwardly extending spaced brackets 5e (see Fig. '7) the. opposite outersides of which support upper and' lowerv rollers l2 which have rolling engage- Slidsuppoit the support 5 thereon, as shown inFig-7.

The load carrier Il consists of the following: I3: indicates a plate suitably removably nxed to the frame 5', preferably the top 5a and rib 5d thereof; The lower portion or the plate ll is formed with a through opening iii-a, the axis of which preferably intersects the axis of the cylinder 6a.k lllindicates a cylinder (preferably hollow from end to end) the inner end portion of which extends through the opening itc and is welded to the marginal edges of the latter to rigidly connect the cylinder thereto. rfhe cylinder l# forms a shaft'for a tubular member I5.

inner walis of' the tubular member l5, adjacent its opposite ends, are recessed annularly to form seatsf'or suitable bushings lia rotatably ntting the cylinder l4`. The inner end or the tubular member t5 is provided with a collar or flange |517, which revolubly tsbetween and has movable engagement' withl opposed faces of the plate i3 and awall lll spaoedly mounted on the latter. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the spacing of the wall lli relative tothe plate Il; is provided by blocks la disposed at the opposite upper ends of the plate, so that byv meansV of cap screws lh extending through the blocks and threaded into openings formed in the plate i3, the wall l and blocks are rigidly secured together and to the plate i3. As shown in Fig. 2, the wall I6 s elongated andthe lowerV edge thereof is of arcuate shape to overlap the collar or flange i5b through a relatively long angular portion thereof, such overlapping relationv of" wallV l5 with the collar or flange hib serving to prevent movement of the tubular member l5 endwise outwardly, while permitting thelatter to rotate as later set forth. The tubular member` I'5` is provided with an extension, indicated asv an entirety at Il, which mounts at its outer end a clamping mechanism, indicated as an entirety at I8, for a body A herein shown for exemplillcation as a shell. The eX- tension l1 preferably consists of a pair of channel bars lla, the outer end portions of which extend outwardly of the tubular member l5, and plates I9 secured to the opposite outer sides of the channels Ha, inwardly of the outer ends of the latter, by spaced bolts lila. The free of the side walls llb of the channel llc are welded to opposite sides of ther tubular member I5, the welded edges of one bar and the welded edges of the other bar being so related that the webs llc of the channel bars lla are in parallel relation and therefore support the plates i3 in parallel relation.

The clamping mechanism E8 consists o the following: la indicates a cylinder having a recprocatable piston connected to a piston rod ISB, which extends outwardly of the outer end of the cylinder Illa and is pivotally connected at its outer end to one arm 26 of a ybell-crank 20a, fulcrumed mounted between the plates lo, as later set forth. The inner end of the cylinder Ita is provided with a knuckle 80 which is suitably nxed by a pin i893 to and intermediate the ends of a rock shaft 2l (see Fig. 5). The opposite end portions of the rock shaft 2i have bearing in eiongated sleeves 2id, the outer ends of which extend through and are welded to the walls of openings Z Ib formed in the channel bar webs llc, as shown in Fig. 5. As shown, the inner ends of the sleeves 2id engage the opposite sides of the knuckle itc to maintain it in alinement with the axis of the cylinder itc and as the knuckle itc, through the pin l8r, is fired to the shaft 2l, the latter is held against endwise movement. The cylinder itc is provided at its opposite ends with duid connections connected to pipes 22, 22a, respectively, mounted as later set forth, and connected to one of the valve mechanisms on the frame la, as already set forth. As will be understood, when the adjacent valve mechanism is operated to one position the fluid flows through one pipe to the cylinder ita at one Side of the piston therein to move the latter in one direction and simultaneously fluid on the opposite side of the piston is discharged from the cylinder through the other pipe and when the adjacent valve mechanism is operated to its other position the fluid connections to the pipes 22, 22a, are reversed, the effect of which is to move the piston in the opposite direction. 23, ffii, indicate relatively movable body engaging or clamping devices for the bodies to be handled and/or transported. The device 23 consists of a downwardly and outwardly inclined abutment integrally connected at its inner end to a rearwardly riding pad 23a which is rigidly secured (prefeably removably by cap screws) to the adjacent side walls of the channel bars ila (see Fig. c). The abutment 23 and pad 23a are reinforced by a gusset 23h. When a body A is to -be picked from the floor or other surface the support ii lowered or tilted outwardly to effect engagement of the abutment 23 with the surface on which the body rests (see Fig. l). The device consists ci a frame fulcrumed on the outer end of the other bell crank arm 2t and operated by the latter into clamping engagement with the body A as shown in Fig. 1.

preferably comprises spaced members each consisting of sections 25, 2G, and bridge plates -a, welded thereto. .A sleeve 25B is mounted between the sections 25 and it and the latter formed with openings alined with the openf through the sleeve, whereby, by means of a shaft 2 extending through the sleeve 28, the alined openings and collars 25a: mounted in openings formed in the plates i9, the bell crank 2da fulcrurned on and between the latter. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the bridge plate 2l, sections 25, it, and sleeve are shown welded together with the latter pinned to the shaft 2t, to form the bell crank 2da having a short arm 2@ pivotally connected to the piston rod lh and a long arm lit which supports the clamping device 2t. As hewn in Fig. 6, the outer ends of the sections support the opposite ends of a rock shaft which extends through the knuckle iib on cuter end of the piston rod ith, the knuckle being secured to the rock shaft til by a cotto. pin 3 l. The knuckle ith is held against latmovement and in alinement with the axis of the cylinder idd by spacers disposed between its opposite sides and the sections 25, 25. The

clamping device 24 consists of a pair 0f V-Shaped members 24a spaced in parallel relation by cross members Zlib disposed between their respective adjacent outer ends and an intermediate hollow member 2d through which a shaft Zic extends, the opposite ends of the shaft being mounted in openings formed in the outer ends of the bell crank arm sections 25, 3.5, which form the long arm 2t. The members Zfla are provided with upstanding lugs 2da: which engage the outer end of the bridge plate Z'la, when the bell crank is in its inoperative position (see dotted lines in Fig. l), so that the clamping device 2li Will be maintained in operative relation to a body A vhen the bell crank is operated to effect engagement of the device 24 with the body A. Fig. 1 shows the support 5 and carrier l l in their lowest position with the abutment 23 in engagement with the travel surface a; the position in which a body A is picked up. in carrying out a pick-up operation the bell crank 2da is rst rocked counterclockwise to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l; nekt the truck is driven forwardly to effect engagement of the abutment 23 with the body; next, the bell crank is rocked in the oppo site direction to move the clamping device 24 into pressure engagement with the body A with the latter clamped against the abutment 23; and finally the mechanism 6 is operated to raise the support to a selected level. The raising of the load may be for the purpose of inspection and/or processing or for transportation to a place of storage or where the inspection and/or processing is to be carried out. From the foregoing description, it will be observed that the load may be raised to a desired position by operating the tilting means 3, as shown in dotted lines in l, or by raising the supp-ort 5 in the guides li; or, if desired, the guides may be tilted inwardly and the support 5 raised. Also, as later set forth, the tubular member may be rotated to a p-redtermined position to facilitate inspection and processing of the body A.

rloin the foregoing description it will be observed that when the clamping devices 23, engage a body A (or a smaller body A shown in dotted lines in Fig. l), an imaginary plane cutting the axes of the body A or A and shaft 2Q extends between the clamping devices 2d, whereas the opposite ends of the if-shaped ineinhers Qta engage the body A or A at opposite sides of an imaginary plane cutting the point of en gagement of the body with the abutment 23 and axis of the shaft 2te, so that the arms Zflc cow operate with the abutment 23 to secure the body in position on the latter. Ey reason of fact that the clamping device 2li is free to swing in one direction on the bell crank arm sections ZS, it accommodates itself to the surface of the body A or A when the bell crank 2te is operated to the latter.

Mechanism, indicated as an entirety at is provided for rotating the tubular member l5, preferably degrees, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the body A may be inspected, processed, stacked on end in position to be lled, removed or mechanically or discharged to a conu The mechanism 32 consists of the following: 32a indicates a cylinder the outer end wa f which is provided with a hollow boss 32h ivotally mounted on a stud shaft 32C suitably upported on the plate i3. The cylinder is rovided with a reciprocatable piston cone-c'ed to a piston rod 33d. The outer end of the ed 33a is pivotally connected to a pin 3d, which is supported at.. its opposite ends in the outer end portions of a pair of parallel plates 35, 35 (forming a orank) suitably fixed to and extending radially froml the tubular member l5. The opposite end portions ofthe cylinder 52a are provided with fluid connections to which pipes 35, 38a, are connected, the pipes leading to a valve mechanism on the frame lia, as already set forth, the operation of the valve mechanism serving to reciprocate the piston 33 in a well known manner. By preference, the plates 35, are disposed vertically and the piston 33 is at the outer end of the cylinder 32a., when the clamping devices 23, 24, are in the body pick-up position; accordingly, operation of thel piston tothe inner end of the cylinder 32d. rotates the tubular member, clampingy devices 23;, 24, and body A to the position shown in Fig, 3.

The pipes 22, 22a, consist of flexible hose which entend through the hollow cylinder lli and lateral opening formed therein on the inner sidof the plate lf3' and are suitably secured by to the inner side of the upper cross plate Ec from which the hose extend upwardly reeve on the pulleys 9 during raising and lowering of the support 5, being guided upwardly downwardly by the flanges on the pulleys. Also, the pipes 2S, 35a, consist of iiexible hose which around the upper cross plate 5o secure-:l by yokes to the inner side thereof and then extend toand fit between the extended bars of the chains lo and reeve therewith the sprockets S. From the sprockets S and pulleys S, the hose extend rearwardly (see Fig. l) for connectionsv with their respective valve mechanisms.

From the foregoing description will be ob-u served that the load engaging cla c devices 23, 2t, are operable to engage e up a body when the latter is at rest on its sie on a floor or other surface. Also, since the clamping mechanism is movable upwardly and rotatably, the body engaged thereby may be disposed in different positions for inspection, processing or discharge. The mechanism adapts itse to shells.; for example, a shell may be picked up as shown in Fig. l, then raised and bo y rotated and nnally lowered and positioned up ightly on the licor, as shown in Fig. 3; in this latter position materials and essential devices can be plied interiorly of the shell.

lt will also be noted that the clamping devices are so related that simplified power means may be provided; as shown, the device it is rigidly mounted on the channel members ila inwardly of the device 24 and inwardly of and below the center of gravity of the body to eng ged, whereas the device 2li is disposed above and outwardly cf the center of gravity of the body to be engaged and swings about an axis disposed above and inwardly of the center of gravity of the cody and thereby in co-operation with the device prevents outward movement of the body without employment of undue clamping pressure.

To those skilled in the art to which our invention relates many changes in construction widely differingr embodiments and applications of the invention will be apparent without departing from the scope of the invention. The description and disclosures herein are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, a frame, substantially vertical guides thereon, a support slidably mounted on said guides, hydraulically operated means for raising said support, including cylinder-piston elements, said piston element having a crosshead provided at opposite sides thereof with laterally extending shafts, a sprocket loosely mounted on each shaft, chains engaging said sprockets and connected to said support to raise the latter, a cylinder secured at its inner end to said support and extending outwardly therefrom, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said cylinder, an abutment xedly mounted on the outer end of said tubular member, a device movably mounted on the outer end of said tubular member in diametrical relation to said abutment for engaging a load and arranged to co-operate with said abutment to secure the load on said tubular member, cylinder-piston elements on said tubular member for operating said device toward and from the load, cylinder-piston elements mounted on said support and connected to said tubular mem er for rotating it a predetermined distance, a source of supply of fluid under pressure, valve controlled Fluid connections between said source of fluid supply and the opposite ends of each of said cylinder elements, portions of said connections consisting of flexible conduits, and means for supporting said flexible conduits to take up slack therein during raisingand lowering of said support, said supporting means including extension plates on the links of each chain arranged to mount one of said conduits thereon for reeving the latter around the adjacent sprocket and a pulley loosely mounted on each of said shafts arranged to support one of the remaining conduits and permit reeving thereof on said pulley during raising and lowering of said support.

2. .An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination, a frame, guides mounted on said frame, a support slidably mounted on said guides,

l hydraulically operated means for raising said support, including cylinder-piston elements, said piston element having a cross-head provided at opposite sides thereof with laterally extending shafts, a sprocket on each shaft, chains engaging said sprockets and connected to said support to raise the latter, a hollow cylinder secured at its inner end to said support and extending outwardly therefrom, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said cylinder, an abutment mounted on the outer end of said tubular member, a device movably mounted on the outer end of said tubular member for engaging a load and cooperating with said abutment to secure the load on said tubular member, cylinder-piston elements for operating said device toward and from the load, cylinder-piston elements mounted on said support and connected to said tubular member for rotating it a predetermined distance, separate means for supplying fluid under pressure to each of said cylinder elements, said hollow cylinder being arranged to enclose the adjacent portions of the fluid Supply means leading to said first mentioned cylinder element, each of supply means including fiex-ible conduits, and means for supporting said flexible conduits to take up slack therein during raising and lowering of said elevating member, said means including tension plates on the links of each chain arranged to mount one of said conduits thereon for reeving around the adjacent sprocket and piiey on each of said shafts arranged to support one of the remaining conduits and permit reeving thereof on said pulley during raising and lowering of said elevating member.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a wheel mounted frame, a vertically disposed frame consisting of spaced guide means trunnioned on said iirst mentioned frame for tilting motion relative thereto, a support slidably mounted on said guide means and means for raising said support on said guide means, of a mechanism for engaging and supporting a load on said support, said mechanism consisting of a horizontally disposed elongated shaft secured at its inner end on said support and extending outwardly therefrom, a tubular member substantially co-extensive in length to said shaft and rotatably mounted thereon, an endwise related extension secured to the outer end of said tubular member, spaced load engaging devices on the outer end of said extension, one of said devices consisting of a nxed abutment the outer end of which is adapted to engage the surface on which a load is positioned when a load thereon is to be picked up, the other device comprising a member swingably mounted on said extension and a load engaging element trunnioned on a transverse axis on the outer end of'said swingably mounted member, the opposite ends of said element being adapted to engage the load at opposite sides of an imaginary plane cuttingT the axis of the load and point of contact of the latter with said abutment, hydraulically operated means for operating said swingably mounted member in opposite directions and separate hydraulically operated means for rotating said tubular member in opposite directions.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a wheel mounted frame, vertically disposed spaced guides mounted on said frame, a support slidably mounted on said guides and means for raising said support on said guides, of a mechanism for engaging and supporting a load on said support, said mechanism consisting of an outwardly extending hollow shaft xedly secured at its inner end to said support for movement therewith, a hollow member rotatably mounted on said shaft and provided at its outer end with an extension in endwise relation thereto, spaced load engaging devices on the outer end of said extension, one of said devices consisting of a xed abutment the outer end of which is adapted to engage the surface on which a load is positioned when a load thereon is to be picked up, the other device being pivotally mounted on said extension and adapted to engage the load substantially diametrically thereof relative to said abutment, power' means on said extension for operating said pivotally mounted device in opposite directions, and power means for rotating said hollow member a predetermined angular distance, said power means for operating said pivotally mounted load engaging device comprising cylinder-piston elements, and uid pressure supply means having a valve controlled iuid connection leading through said hollow shaft and connected to the opposite ends of said cylinder element.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said guides are trunnioned on said frame.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 853,482 Taylor May 14, 1907 2,432,411 Guerin et al Dec. 9, 1947 2,507,583 Wellman May 16, 1950 2,522,128 Lehmann Sept. 12, 1950 2,578,070 Jones Dec. 11, 1951 2,596,477 Frischmann et al. May 13, 1952 2,611,498 Broersma Sept. 23, 1952 

